The Heart of Mindfulness: A Silent Meditation Retreat

The Heart of Mindfulness is a silent meditation retreat at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. It is held in silence, in a place built for contemplative practice, and suits anyone drawn to mindfulness meditation and to stepping away from ordinary conversation for a while.

The Setting

Drala Mountain Center is a mountain retreat center near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, in the northern part of the state. For more than 50 years people have come here for programs rooted in Shambhala teachings, along with indigenous wisdom traditions, body awareness practices, contemplative arts and mindful living. Its programs welcome people from beginners to advanced students, so a silent retreat here sits within a long tradition of meditation practice.

The land itself is part of the experience. Eight miles of wilderness trails wind through the property, and the Great Stupa, a large landmark of the center, is open to visitors for quiet reflection. Many guests spend unstructured time here walking, reading, journaling or simply resting between periods of practice.

Before You Go

This is a silent retreat, so expect to leave conversation behind for its duration. The center describes its offerings as open to everyone from the beginner to the experienced practitioner, which makes this a reasonable place to try extended silent practice for the first time as well as to deepen an existing one.

Red Feather Lakes is a rural mountain community, and the center sits in open, natural country. Dress for changeable mountain weather and for walking outdoors on trails.